Infineon’s PQC-certified contactless and dual-interface security controller

Quantum computers are expected to become powerful enough within the next decade to compromise many of today’s cryptographic algorithms, putting a wide range of systems at risk. Long-life products such as ePassports, IoT devices and Secure Elements, therefore, demand post-quantum cryptography (PQC)-ready hardware already today. To address this, Infineon is now providing the SLC27 security controller with a Common Criteria-certified cryptography library featuring the PQC algorithms ML-KEM and ML-DSA. As part of the TEGRION security controller family and based on the Integrity Guard 32 security architecture, the SLC27 supports standardised PQC implementations across multiple applications, enabling OEMs to integrate quantum-resistant security into their designs.

Since post-quantum cryptography represents a fundamentally new class of cryptographic techniques, involving highly diverse and complex operations, it is essential to utilise a robust and security-optimised hardware platform. The SLC27 security controller, built on the Integrity Guard 32 security architecture, provides a resilient foundation for implementing high-performant PQC, protected against side-channel and fault attacks. The controller also supports in-field updates and crypto agility, enabling OEMs to deploy PQC-ready hardware today and adapt to future requirements without replacing devices already in use. With these features, the SLC27 is suitable for applications where long device life and high security requirements demand quantum-resistant protection:

IoT devices: Industrial sensors, smart meters, and control units often operate for ten to twenty years. The SLC27 allows such devices to remain protected against future quantum attacks throughout their operational lifetime.

eID and ePassports: Government-issued ePassports and national eID cards with a typical ten-year validity can be future-proofed by integrating the SLC27, maintaining protected identification and border control systems.

Secure Elements and brand protection: Secure Elements and brand protection solutions for luxury goods, health care devices and consumables benefit from PQC-enabled SLC27 to resist tampering and counterfeiting over the long term.

www.infineon.com

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Intel unveils Panther Lake architecture their first AI PC platform built on 18A

Intel has revealed the architectural details for the company’s next generation client processor Intel Core Ultra series 3 (code-named Panther Lake), which is expected to begin shipping later this year. Panther Lake is the company’s first product built on Intel 18A.

Intel also previewed Xeon 6+ (code-named Clearwater Forest), its first Intel 18A-based server processor, which is expected to launch in the first half of 2026. Both Panther Lake and Clearwater Forest, as well as multiple generations of products built on Intel 18A, are being manufactured at Fab 52, Intel’s new, state-of-the-art factory in Chandler, Arizona.

“We are entering an exciting new era of computing, made possible by great leaps forward in semiconductor technology that will shape the future for decades to come,” said Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan. “Our next-gen compute platforms, combined with our leading-edge process technology, manufacturing and advanced packaging capabilities, are catalysts for innovation across our business as we build a new Intel. The United States has always been home to Intel’s most advanced R&D, product design and manufacturing – and we are proud to build on this legacy as we expand our domestic operations and bring new innovations to the market.”

Set to power a broad spectrum of consumer and commercial AI PCs, gaming devices and edge solutions, Intel Core Ultra series 3 processors are the first client system-on-chips (SoC) built on Intel 18A. Panther Lake introduces a scalable, multi-chiplet architecture that offers partners flexibility across form factors, segments and price points.

Beyond the PC, Panther Lake will extend to edge applications including robotics. A new Intel Robotics AI software suite and reference board enables customers with sophisticated AI capabilities to rapidly innovate and develop cost-effective robots using Panther Lake for both controls and AI perception. Panther Lake will begin ramping high-volume production this year, with the first SKU slated to ship before the end of the year and broad market availability starting January 2026.

Clearwater Forest is Intel’s next generation E-core processor. Branded Intel Xeon 6+, this processor is the most efficient server processor the company has ever created and is built on Intel 18A. Intel plans to launch Xeon 6+ in the first half of 2026. Tailored for hyperscale data centres, cloud providers, and telcos, Clearwater Forest enables organisations to scale workloads, reduce energy costs, and power more intelligent services.

newsroom.intel.com

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ST’ half-bridge gate drivers ease design with GaN in low-voltage systems

ST’ STDRIVEG210 and STDRIVEG211 half-bridge gallium nitride (GaN) gate drivers are tailored for systems powered from industrial or telecom bus voltages, 72V battery systems, and 110V AC line-powered equipment. Rated for maximum rail voltage of 220V, the drivers integrate linear regulators to generate high-side and low-side 6 V gate signals and provide separate sink and source paths for optimum control.

The STDRIVEG210 is featured for power-conversion applications such as server and telecom supplies, battery chargers, adapters, solar micro-inverters and optimisers, LED lighting, and USB-C power sources. Suitable both for resonant and hard-switching topologies, its 300ns startup time permits to minimise the wake-up time especially during intermittent operation (burst mode).

The STDRIVEG211, equipped with overcurrent detection and smart shutdown, targets motor drives in power tools, e-bikes, pumps, and servos, as well as class-D audio amplifiers, in addition to power supplies.

Both devices simplify and minimise BOM by integrating the bootstrap diode to easily supply high-side driver. The separate gate-driving paths can sink 2.4A and source 1.0A to ensure fast switching transitions and easy dV/dt tuning. Protection features include interlocking to prevent cross conduction, while the high-side and low-side drivers have a short propagation delay with 10 ns matching time for low dead time operation. Under-voltage lockout (UVLO) prevents operating in low-efficiency or dangerous conditions and the STDRIVEG211, which is oriented towards motor-drive applications, has additional high-side UVLO protection.

The devices also have over-temperature protection and dV/dt immunity up to ±200V/ns, while input-voltage tolerance up to 20V helps simplify the controller interface circuitry. A standby pin facilitates power management and a separated power ground allows optimal Kelvin source gate driving or the use of a current shunt.

www.st.com 

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Rutronik adds SoC from Nordic for advanced Bluetooth LE and Matter applications

With the nRF54LM20A, Rutronik is expanding its SoC portfolio with the latest component from Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF54L series. This flexible wireless SoC combines an ultra-low-power 2.4 GHz radio with 128 MHz Arm Cortex-M33 processor, extensive peripherals and scalable memory configurations. Thanks to integrated high-speed USB, extended memory (2 MB NVM, 512 KB RAM) and modern security functions, the nRF54LM20A enables energy-efficient designs for future-oriented applications such as wearables, gaming peripherals or smart home solutions. The nRF54LM20A SoC and the matching nRF54LM20-DK are available for pre-order. The official sales launch is planned for Q1 / 2026.

The nRF54LM20A complements the nRF54L series and impresses with even more performance and flexibility. Proprietary technologies such as low-leakage RAM and advanced multi-protocol radio design significantly reduce power consumption – a key advantage for developers looking to reduce battery size or extend battery life.

To support cost optimisation and flexibility in the design cycle, the SoCs are available in memory and package configurations with up to 66 GPIOs including pin-to-pin options.

The associated development kit (nRF54LM20-DK) provides a complete functional overview on one board. It is supported by the nRF Connect SDK and tools and enables a quick start. Free training courses from the Nordic Developer Academy round off the offer for developers.

www.rutronik24.com

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